Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerJamie Langenbrunner (left) and Patrik Elias are on the same line with center Jason Arnott.

Soon after Jason Arnott was traded to the Devils in mid-June he spoke to Patrik Elias about the possibility of reuniting as linemates.

On the first day of training camp it became a reality -- 7 1/2 years after Arnott and Elias teamed with Petr Sykora as the so-called A Line that was instrumental in the 2000 Stanley Cup championship.

"When it happened he was the first guy I called," Arnott said today. "It felt great. It doesn't feel that long. It felt comfortable. We're still having fun."

Now, instead of Sykora at right wing, it was captain Jamie Langenbrunner.

"Hopefully we'll have that kind of success," Langenbrunner said of the A Line, "but I think we're (he and Sykora) different types of players."

There were rumors at one point that it might actually be the original A Line.

"I texted (Sykora) a couple of times because I heard a rumor he might get a tryout here in camp," Elias said. "I know a couple of teams in Russia are interested and in the Czech Republic where he is training."

So how did Langenbrunner do in that spot?

"Jamie can fit in with anybody," Elias said.

Arnott added: "He's a great player."

The trio was the idea of new coach John MacLean, although trades or other needs could change the situation.

"They have a little chemistry together," MacLean said of Arnott and Elias. "I think Jamie is a nice fit, too. It's all experimentation."

Deja vu?

"We're not as young as we used to be," Arnott said. "But we're probably in better shape than we were then. I'd like to have played then with the rules we have now."

They'll have more freedom in today's NHL without being hooked and held.

"I think the way we played we were creative and up-tempo," Elias said. "That's the way the game is now. I think we still kind of read off each other pretty well. But it was just one day. Arnie is a floater. So am I now."

The two players, whose locker stalls are side by side in the practice dressing room, had a good laugh over the joke from Elias.

"He had trouble keeping up," Arnott insisted.

Langenbrunner is intrigued by the line.

"I can see where it might be something that can work," he said. "It might be worth trying. It was the first day of training camp and he put a bunch of old guys together."

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MacLean semed to enjoy his first training camp practice.

"We're definitely bigger," he said of the Devils. "We have a lot of depth. Guys are going to be competing for jobs here."

He said he will give rookie Jacob Josefson a shot at skating with David Clarkson and Dainius Zubrus.

"He's (Josefson) going to get some opportunities to show what he has," MacLean said.